A 10,000-tonnage dredger sank in the Huangpu River, which runs
through China's largest commercial center Shanghai, on Saturday
afternoon, said sources of local maritime affairs bureau.
The ship was conducting dredging near the Nanpu Bridge over the
river when the accident occurred at 1:05 PM, according to the
bureau.
The vessel leaned over suddenly during work and submerged within
two hours, a bureau official said, adding crew and workers on the
ship escaped before sinking.
The bureau quickly mobilized ships to the site of the accident
to carry out salvage effort and handle navigation in the area.
An oil spill from the ship's engine room has been fenced off to
prevent further pollution. The cause of the accident is still under
investigation.
(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2006)